Senior strives for strong finish

Liam West ’21

Previously published on The Mount Online a publication produced by the staff of Mount Michael’s Journalism team that also produces the school newspaper The Mount. Follow them via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube links on https://mountonline.org.  by Liam West ’21

Isaac Gart ’21 prepares to serve prior to his match against Skutt Catholic in a triangular. Gart has been preparing himself for a season in which he hopes to secure a second state championship. – photo by Colin Eich’22

Isaac Gart ‘21 made Mount Michael history when he became state champion in the one singles for tennis last October. This achievement set the tone for what Gart hopes is a strong senior season.

“Being the first one singles champion at Mount Michael is a huge honor,” Gart said. “Mount Michael has had a history of consistently having great tennis teams, and to be the first at such a prestigious school feels amazing.”

After a year of preparation during the offseason, Gart hopes that it will lead to yet another state victory. However, his main hope for this year is to connect more with his team.

“Obviously I want to win state individual and as a team,” Gart said. “However, my main goal is to have as much fun as I can and to try and make bonds with my teammates and coaches that will last a lifetime.”

His teammates have noticed a certain intensity and “drive” this year that they have not seen in past seasons.

“Isaac has always been a terrific tennis player, but this year he has really taken it up to another level,” teammate Quinn McMahon ‘21 said. “You can really tell how passionate he is about the sport and how much he cares about the team as a whole.”

Even coaches have noticed the improvement and Gart’s intensified motivation during his preseason training and in-season competitions.

“From what I’ve seen so far, he has been pushing himself like crazy,” assistant coach Tim Jacoby said. “He’s been playing a lot of tennis this summer, and you can tell he wants to win not only another individual title, but also a team title.”

For Gart, tennis has been the pinnacle of his experience at the school, meeting multiple lifelong friends from different grades.

“Playing tennis at Mount Michael has been the biggest highlight of my time in high school,” he said. “Tennis is such an individualistic sport, and it can get very lonely. High school, however, brings team camaraderie to the sport and makes it fun.”

Throughout his career, Gart has had several role models on the tennis team.
“For my freshman and sophomore years, I had some great seniors to look up to as role models not only in tennis but also in life,” Gart said.

Over his last year, Gart has followed in these former seniors’ footsteps, taking on more of a captain role for the team. This has been something he has cherished.

“Junior year and this year, I have been able to take on the leadership role of the team,” Gart said. “It has been a really great experience.”